Would you agree this is
the most stressful time of the year?
Every year I say to
myself, "there's gotta be a better way!"
And I say to The Lord,
"What would you have us be doing, Lord?"
This was a busy week
preparing for our women's Christmas event at Cedar Creek, along with all
the other irons the women's leadership team has in the fire, both personally
and in women's ministry. But
wouldn't you know it, one of our team was down with the flu last week, I
didn't feel well a couple days earlier this week, and Michelle, who has been
our event coordinator this year, and responsible for all the details of
tonight's event, was down with the flu this week as well. We've decided
this wasn't just bad timing. Michelle and I had a conversation yesterday in
which I found out we were thinking the same thing...God may be trying to
get our attention.
We have a lot to do as
women, don't we? And especially this time of year, we're trying to please
those we love. Striving, striving. It's Christmas, and we want have the
right food and buy the right presents and spend the right amount of time
with loved ones. But here's the thing: Jesus came down to earth....God
incarnate....to walk among us and make a way for our salvation. Immanuel.
What does that name mean? (God with us) And I fear that in this season,
when we most think of Him as Immanuel, we least grasp the meaning of that
Name. God with us.
Yesterday my friend gave
me a new 2013 purse calendar. As I thanked her I opened it and the first thing
my eyes fell on was a little verse in the corner of the month of
September. It was Matt.11:28 and it says, "Come to me, all you who
are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Do you know Who said
those words?
Jesus. Immanuel.
And today He says those
words to us.
"Come to me. Come
to ME. I have what you need. And I'm right here waiting to
bring you peace. Make me your priority, not your background scene. I came
to be with you. Your Immanuel. "
Our theme this year in
women's ministry has been Balance. It’s December 1. I encourage you
to ponder the meaning of that name - Immanuel - and let it bring balance
to your schedule, your priorities, your relationships and your life this
season. Immanuel-God with us. Amid all the things you need to get done
everyday, stop and be with the One Who came to be with us. He is the
One who brings balance.
One of my favorite
passages is in Psalm 73. The psalmist gives us an example of a heart that
is fully devoted to God, realizing that a relationship with God is what
really matters. And the thought occurred to me that this writer lived
hundreds of years before Jesus even came! He was still waiting for the
Messiah! As you read these words, try to grasp how much more meaningful
they are to us now that Immanuel has come, and we have a personal
relationship with Him. He
not only is with us, He is now in us through the Spirit! "I am
continually with you..." (note this is not God talking; this is the
psalmist talking to God. He is seeking God; yearning for His presence.)
"You hold my right hand. You guide
me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom
have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire
besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my
heart and my portion forever." (Psalms 73:23-26 ESV)
We have even more reason
to make those claims today. He truly is our portion and strength. Spend
quality time with Immanuel this season. He came to be with you.
